About the campaign
A COVID-19 case study about the campaign that got away. Many Sydneysiders will know the work of Wesley Mission. This iconic charity has, for over 200 years, helped some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged. A plan to help hundreds of vulnerable men and women experiencing homelessness by redeveloping Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge in Surry Hills was well underway when I was asked to help direct their $12 million capital campaign.
Over the months ahead capital campaign planning gained significant momentum. We secured several campaign patrons, including former Prime Minister The Hon John Howard OM AC. We received a $500,000 gift from one major donor and a commitment by this individual to host a series of boardroom lunches with leading business figures and philanthropists. Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction. Then, we successfully engaged the City of Sydney about the campaign and shortly thereafter they announced a $1 million gift to the project. By this point the $12 million campaign had achieved over 10% of target in just two gifts.
Enter COVID-19.
Amid the worst global health crisis and subsequent economic downturn in a century, Wesley Mission decided to suspend the support of external counsel for the campaign. It is a decision that made, and continues to make, perfect sense given the need of the organisation at the time was to rightly focus on how best to retain and support thousands of Wesley Mission staff.
The results
The campaign to redevelop Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge (now renamed Wesley Edward Eagar Centre) is at over $7 million (more than 50% of target). It will continue in this new COVID-19 world without external counsel. It was an honour to provide the help Wesley Mission sought from external counsel as it moves towards reaching the campaign target. It’s a unique case study for sure.